Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Bacteria in Lempuyang Wangi (Zingiber zerumbeth var. aromaticum Val.) from Enggano Island, Bengkulu Province

Abstract

Lempuyang Wangi (Zingiber zerumbeth var. aromaticum Val.) is a plant that has been widely used as an ingredient in herbal medicines. Generally, people boil the rhizome to get the benefits of this plant. This method is considered less effective because it requires large amounts of biomass. Another more effective method by utilizing the endophytic bacteria of lempuyang wangi (Z. zerumbeth Var. aromaticum Val.). Generally, endophytic bacteria will produce the same bioactive compounds as those produced by the host plant. This study aimed to obtain endophytic bacterial isolates and determine the diversity of endophytic bacteria of lempuyang Wangi (Z. zerumbeth var. aromaticum Val.) from Enggano Island, Bengkulu Province. Isolation of endophytic bacteria was carried out by planting and grinding methods. The bacterial isolates that grew were then purified and identified by morphological observation, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. A total of 44 isolates of endophytic bacteria were isolated from the rhizomes, stems, and leaves of the lempuyang wangi (Z. zerumbeth var. aromaticum. Val.). Based on morphological observations, Gram staining and biochemical tests showed 44 isolates that had been isolated were close to the genera Bacillus, Micrococcus, Amphibacillus, Pseudomonas and Azotobacter. It can be concluded that lempuyang wangi (Z. zerumbeth var. aromaticum Val.) has a variety of endophytic bacteria.